Thursday, May 8, 2014

Painting Starry Night again

Joni Mitchell said something once in a concert that has always
stuck with me. She was performing her music in front of an enthusiastic
crowd for an emblematic live album. People were calling out songs they'd like to hear, and she said:

In the full, expanded quote she said "You know" three times though. Perhaps my original strong reaction to this statement was because it was so pungent. There's one of the greatest singer songwriters ever complaining about her job to her enthusiastic fans. But once the quote was seared into my consciousness it became a kind of marker of my perspective. How I felt about her quote seemed to change with me through time, like my response to Catcher in the Rye or to being a library clerk. My response quickly started to say more about me, than her.Ain't that just the way?What have some of my reactions been? I have been sympathetic (she's practically a god, just let her do what she wants!). I have been correcting (well, really, Van Gogh paintings go for a hundred million dollars. Of course people would like him to paint Starry Night again!). I have been appalled (they just love some of her songs. Is that some sort of a crime?).

But just recently I found myself with a new response to Joni Mitchell's quote. I thought of poor Vincent Van Gogh, painting some of the greatest works of art in the history of mankind, and no one wants them. He had to be pretty sure they were good, almost positive, you know, but all these people going up to his latest for the ages masterpiece, looking at it for about a second and a half, and saying "No, I like it. My cousin does a bit of painting too on the side, mostly fruit, you know. I think you'd like it. It's a bit like your stuff, maybe a bit tidier. I should show you the drawing he sent me some time.", well, it had to make him feel a bit unsteady. So I'm thinking Van Gogh might have appreciated a little real interest in his painting."Hey, Van Gogh, paint us Starry Night again, man! That starry night shit was awesome!""Thank you for your interest." Van Gogh says "But that's not really how I work. I paint something new each time.""That's cool. But still, I love me that Starry Night shit. Starry Night rocks!""Well, I mean. If you like it so much you can have it, if you want. I have a lot of paintings.""Dude, are you serious? I can have Starry Night? I am going to freaking explode. Seriously, I can have this?""Sure, yeah, um, why not?""Oh My Fucking God! Oh my fucking god. You, sir Van Gogh, you fucking rock! YOU FUCKING ROCK!!!! Starry Night! STARRY NIGHT! WOOOOOOO!"

"Oh wow, did you just, like, give that guy, like, Starry Night?""Yes, I think he really liked it.""I absolutely love Starry Night. I adore Starry Night. I would marry Starry Night and have its babies!""You would?""Oh, wow. That was awesome that you gave it to him, but, Mr. Van Gogh, you have got to paint Starry Night again. You have got to! Please?""Right. Yes, see, as I was just explaining, I don't really do that. I paint a new picture every time.""You do?""Yes, see all these paintings? There are flowers, and people. This is a peach tree. This one is a farmhouse. Here is a drawing of a garden I did, with a little cat and a bucket. The cat looks a bit funny but I'm really pleased with the bucket.""But I LOVE Starry Night. I loooooovvvve L-O-V-E love Starry Night!""Well, that's very nice...""Pleeeaasse paint Starry Night again. Pleeease? Pullllleeeeeeeeeaaaaase. Pleez pleez pleez pleez pleez? Please paint Starry Night???""Look. Here's this one called Cafe Terrace. It has stars. Look at the stars.""Oh, this is a nice one.""And see this one? This is called Starry Night Over the Rhone.""Wow, these are good. Did you know that you are a really good painter?""Um.""I bet you could sell some of these. These are really good.""Thank you.""No, really, I'm serious, you could be a professional painter.""That's very kind of you to say."

"Hey, are you the guy who's giving out free Starry Nights?"

"What?"

"I heard there's some guy giving out free Starry Nights over here, and I thought 'Cool, I dig Starry Night. I could totally go for a Starry Night.' So here I am. Can I have my free Starry Night?"

"There are not multiple Starry Nights. I gave Starry Night to someone, but there's just the one. It's a painting you know. One of a kind."

"Oh, well that's cool, but could you paint Starry Night again so I could have one?"

"No! I cannot paint Starry Night again!"

"Well, I mean, respectfully, why not? Obviously you painted it before, so you know how. What's the big deal?"

"It's just, it's not how it works. Ugh! I wish I could just paint something once and everyone could share in having it. I bet no one ever said, like, you know, 'Hey, Joni Mitchell, write us Both Sides Now again, man.'"

"Okay, dude, chill. I get it. Hey, can I have this Sunflower picture?"

Hmm, that didn't go where I was planning. I'm pretty sure there's a point in here somewhere. I hope you'll feel welcome to work out whichever one you want.

If you were wondering, yes, you should comment. Not only does it remind me that I must write in intelligible English because someone is actually reading what I write, but it is also a pleasure for me since I am interested in anything you have to say.

I respond to pretty much every comment. It's like a free personalized blog post!

One last detail: If you are commenting on a post more than two weeks old I have to go in and approve it. It's sort of a spam protection device. Also, rarely, a comment will go to spam on its own. Give either of those a day or two and your comment will show up on the blog.

Not so entertaining sort of legal exclaimer that seems wise to post if you think about it

I in no way speak on behalf of or in any way for the Library I work for, though if they would like me to I am sure we can come to an agreement.

My blog is not written or worked on during paid time and if it ever appears to be that is only for narrative umph and to reflect on my thought processes and experience as things happened.

Things here are fictionalized and obscured sometimes, and though I stand behind my portrayl of the spirit and feel of things it would be wrong to ascribe too much to a specific Library, event, or person.